Mechanical Engineer (Maintenance / Projects – Manufacturing) with 1 to 2 years manufacturing experience

SUMMARY:
Our valued manufacturing client is seeking an assertive, hands-on Mechanical Engineer with 1–2 years’ experience as a Maintenance Engineer or Project Engineer within the manufacturing industry.
The successful candidate will be responsible for driving machine readiness, operational problem-solving, engineering support, training of production teams, and the implementation of practical solutions to improve productivity, uptime, and plant performance.

POSITION INFO:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1) Maintenance Engineering & Machine Readiness
- Ensure high levels of machine availability and readiness to support daily production requirements
- Assist in fault-finding, troubleshooting and restoring equipment to operational condition
- Investigate recurring breakdowns and implement corrective and preventative actions
- Support preventative maintenance planning and maintenance execution improvements
- Participate in shutdown planning, risk identification and maintenance readiness
2) Project Engineering & Implementation
- Support plant improvement projects aimed at increasing efficiency, uptime, safety and throughput
- Assist with installations, commissioning, upgrades and modifications of equipment
- Develop basic project plans including timelines, risks and resources required
- Coordinate contractors and internal teams to ensure projects are completed successfully
- Ensure compliance with engineering and safety standards during project execution
3) Continuous Improvement & Operational Productivity
- Identify production losses and lead engineering-driven improvement initiatives
- Drive lean improvement actions to reduce downtime, improve cycle times and reduce wastage
- Monitor equipment performance and highlight opportunities for improvement
- Support implementation of operational solutions that increase productivity and output
4) Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving
- Conduct structured root cause analysis (RCA) on failures, defects and process inefficiencies
- Use methods such as 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto, and corrective action tracking
- Implement sustainable technical fixes and confirm effectiveness through measurable results
5) Training, SOPs & Standardisation
- Train operators and production teams on equipment best practices and improved methods
- Assist with developing and updating SOPs, work instructions and maintenance procedures
- Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, continuous improvement and performance
6) Reporting & Engineering Documentation
- Compile technical reports on downtime, maintenance effectiveness and improvements implemented
- Maintain engineering documentation including modification records and equipment updates
- Assist with audits and quality requirements where engineering input is needed
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- BTech / BEng / BSc in Mechanical Engineering (South African university qualification)
- 1–2 years’ experience as a Maintenance Engineer or Project Engineer in a Manufacturing / Industrial environment
- Strong mechanical aptitude and understanding of plant equipment and manufacturing operations
- Ability to work on-site in Randburg / Roodepoort
KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Assertive, confident and able to take ownership of engineering actions
- Strong technical troubleshooting ability with a solutions-focused mindset
- Good planning and coordination skills (projects, contractors, plant priorities)
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and train teams
- High attention to detail with an organised approach to documentation and reporting
- Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
ADVANTAGEOUS / PREFERRED
- Exposure to planned maintenance systems, CMMS or maintenance scheduling tools
- Understanding of safety compliance in manufacturing (risk assessments, permits, SOPs)
- Basic knowledge of lean manufacturing / continuous improvement principles
- Driver’s license and own transport
PERFORMANCE MEASURES / KPI’S
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Improved machine uptime and availability
- Reduction in recurring breakdowns and downtime losses
- Increased productivity and operational efficiency
- Successful delivery of improvement projects (scope, time, quality, safety)
- Improved operator capability through training and standardised practices